Funding Opportunity: Nurse-led research on Learning Disability health checks.

The RCN Foundation is offering funding for organisations to conduct nurse-led research on learning disability annual health checks across the UK.
This initiative aims to improve accessibility, delivery and effectiveness of these essential checks.


Who can apply? Organisations leading research to enhance health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

Applications close 21st February 5pm

Should you have any questions about this funding call, please contact Dr Sarah McGloin, Head of Grants and Impact or email the team at grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk.

Please follow this link for further information:

https://rcnfoundation.rcn.org.uk/Research-projects/Learning-disability-nursing/Health-Checks?fbclid=IwY2xjawIWDitleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHW-Rwe2YwX3nvKp5o_ZzTX16X4cI8kjYP61xXekBp7x8HQ_1ONRbC64iZQ_aem_jyeu3ALuJ6DvYY3tBfCcVw

Reducing self injury through education in KSS *content warning*

The community is pleased to be able to share some published work by regular contributors and Surrey-based Learning Disability Nurse Carla Withers. 

The paper tells the story of a man with a history of self-injury during masturbation, and how the Community team for people with learning disabilities undertook assessments and education sessions to support him to masturbate safely. 

If you want to read more the paper is published in the Nursing Times and can be found by clicking on the link below.

 Safe masturbation: educating a man with learning disabilities | Nursing Times 

Conference 2024 Film

On 4th December 2024, the Community Conference was hosted at Canterbury Christ Church University with support from Kent Surrey Sussex Applied Research Collaborative.

Please see the film that the events team at Canterbury Christ Church created.

Free Webinar – Ethical Issues in sharing online images of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

This Webinar, on 20 February 1-3.30pm, is an invitation to discuss how we can collaborate to develop ethical guidelines for online sharing with people who lack capacity for informed consent. With Professor Máire Messenger Davies, Chaired by Professor Nicola Grove and including Taylor Anderson (CBF), Ben Simmons (Bath Spa Uni), Julie Calverley (NAC-Wellbeing), Rachael Barker and student (Dorothy Goodman School), Catherine De Haas (Southampton Uni) and the team from Rix Inclusive Research.
For further details about the webinar and easy read resources visit https://www.rixinclusiveresearch.org/ethics-seminar-20-02-25/

Learning Disability Liaison Nursing Competency Framework Webinar Recording

To celebrate Learning Disability Nurses Day 2024, the Community hosted an online event with Jayne Leeson OBE on the development of the Competency Framework for Learning Disability Liaison Nurses. 

Due for publication in Spring 2025 the Framework will guide nurses and providers as to what a good quality learning disability liaison nursing service should be doing to have the maximum impact. 

A Uniform Approach : development of the competency framework for learning disability acute liaison nurses in England